Garment having roll-up and stow sleeves

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a garment that includes a torso portion and a pair of sleeves, with the junction between the torso portion and each of the sleeves including a closable opening. Each of the closable openings includes a first portion positioned on a respective underarm, extending along a side of the torso portion, and a second portion extending on a respective one of the sleeves, with each of the sleeves including a proximal portion adjacent the torso portion, a distal portion adjacent the proximal portion, and an arrangement carried by the proximal portion to maintain the distal portion in a lifted-up state.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/058,492, filed Jun. 3, 2008, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference thereto in its entirety, and the priority of which is hereby claimed under 35 U.S.C. §119.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to garments or clothes such as jackets and, more particularly, the invention relates to garments structured and arranged to adapt them to weather and temperature changes.

2. Background Information

Under inclement and cold weather conditions, the wearer may desire greater arm dexterity, but may not wish to expose, even temporarily, the upper part of his/her body to inclement weather. In the past, many different types of approaches have been made to provide garments of various types having removable sleeves.

The problem in connection with such sleeves is that frequently there is no convenient storage place for the sleeves once they are detached, so that the detached sleeves might be lost or may be not easily retrieved and reinstalled for arm protection and warmth. Additionally, it is frequently desirable to have a garment which, while being worn, can be easily manipulated so that the sleeves can be removed from arm areas and conveniently stored.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,261,059 discloses a jacket having removable sleeves. The sleeves are attached to the torso portion, or vest portion, of the jacket using a zipper. The path of the zipper is essentially circular and it is positioned at the junction between the torso portion and the sleeve. One length of the zipper extends around the upper and of the sleeve and the other length of the zipper is arranged on the shoulder seams of the torso portion of the jacket. The removed sleeves are stored inside the jacket. This jacket has many disadvantages such as, for example, the need to remove the jacket prior to the removal of the sleeves; or the discomfort of the wearer when the jacket is worn sleeve-less and the zipper-half of the torso portion comes into contact with the armpit. Further, when the jacket is worn without the sleeves, the sleeveless jacket becomes bulky and results in greater warmth from the detached sleeves being stored inside the vest portion of the garment.

Other prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 4,006,495 and FR 2474285.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,006,495 discloses a coat garment having semi-detachable sleeves and a pocket for receiving such sleeves in their semi-detached condition, the sleeves having essentially longitudinal, selectively openable seams for accommodating arm removal from such sleeves. The sleeves can then be tucked into the pocket provided in a storage pouch provided in the back of the coat proximate the sleeve openings. This coat has the disadvantage that the removal of arms from sleeves still remain uncomfortable for the wearer who doesn't take off the coat. Moreover, the sleeve-less coat becomes bulky and warmer when the sleeves are stored inside the garment and wearer's shoulders are not protected when the garment is worn sleeve-less.

FR 2474285 discloses a garment with retractable sleeves that can be tucked into arm annular pockets. However, those annular pockets still provide discomfort to the wearer and wearer's shoulders are still not protecting when the garment is worn sleeve-less.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a garment which respond to the disadvantages of the prior art.

In this regard, the invention is directed to a garment that includes a torso portion; a pair of sleeves; a junction between the torso portion and each of the sleeves comprising a closable opening; each of the closable openings including a first portion positioned on the respective underarm, extending along a side of the torso portion, and a second portion extending on the respective one of the sleeves; and each of the sleeves including a proximal portion adjacent to the torso portion; a distal portion adjacent to the proximal portion; an arrangement carried by the proximal portion for maintaining the distal portion in a lifted-up state.

According to additional embodiments of the invention:

-   -   the distal portion is maintained in a rolled-up state;     -   the arrangement for maintaining the distal portion in a         lifted-up state includes a pocket;     -   the arrangement for maintaining the distal portion in a         lifted-up state includes snaps;     -   the proximal portion and the distal portion include snaps to         maintain the proximal portion against the distal portion, in a         sleeve-on state;     -   the arrangement for maintaining the distal portion is positioned         on the upper part of the proximal portion;     -   the closable opening between the torso portion and the         respective sleeve includes a substantially U-shaped         closable-opening with a first portion oriented substantially         vertically and a second portion oriented substantially         vertically;     -   the closable opening between the torso portion and the         respective sleeve comprises a double slider zipper;     -   the first portion positioned on each underarm, extending along a         side of the torso portion and the second portion extending on         the respective one of the sleeves, belong to the same piece of         fabric;     -   the upper proximal portion is lined;     -   the arrangement for maintaining the distal portion in a         lifted-up state includes an elastic band adapted to extend at         least partially around a wearer's arm to apply tension to the         lifted-up distal portion of the sleeve against the arm;     -   the proximal portion of the sleeve further includes an         arrangement to hold the proximal portion of the sleeve against         an upper arm of a wearer;     -   the arrangement to hold the proximal portion of the sleeve         against an upper arm of a wearer includes an elastic band.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following drawings and description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention with regard to the embodiments thereof, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals designate corresponding elements or sections throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a garment worn in a first normal wear position with the sleeve-on state;

FIG. 2 is similar view to FIG. 1 in which the garment is in the sleeve-on state with raised arm showing a pit zip closed;

FIG. 3 is similar view to FIG. 1 with the garment in the sleeve-on state with the proximal portion of the sleeve being lifted thereby showing the opening of the pocket;

FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 3 with the garment in the sleeve-on state with the edge of the pocket opening pulled thereby showing the inside of the pocket;

FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 2, with the garment in the sleeve-on state with raised arm showing the pit zip open;

FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 5, with the arm being removed from the sleeve through the pit zip;

FIG. 7 is similar to FIG. 6, with the sleeve being rolled-up;

FIG. 8 is similar to FIG. 7, with the sleeve in its rolled-up stated being inserted within the pocket;

FIG. 9 is similar to FIG. 8, with the garment in the sleeve-less state with the proximal portion of the sleeve being lifted thereby showing the pocket filled with the rolled up sleeve and the black elastic band;

FIG. 10 is similar to FIG. 9 with the arm being inserted between the proximal portion of the sleeve and the elastic band;

FIG. 11 is similar to FIG. 10 with the garment in the sleeve-less state in the normal wear position, the upper arm and the shoulder being protected;

FIG. 12 is a similar view of FIG. 10 in a second embodiment of the invention in which the structural arrangement to maintain the sleeve in the rolled-up position comprise a snap; and

FIG. 13 is a similar view of FIGS. 10 and 12 in a third embodiment of the invention in which the structural arrangement to maintain the sleeve in the rolled-up position coincide with the structural arrangement to hold the proximal portion of the sleeve against the arm.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the drawing figures, a garment 1, such as a jacket, includes a torso portion 3, or torso portion, and a pair of sleeves 5, 6, connected to the torso portion 3. The garment 1 is structured and arranged to cover the wearer's upper body.

As used in the description, “vertical” means substantially parallel with respect to a longitudinal axis of the wearer's upper body while standing up.

In the non-limiting embodiment represented in the figures, the garment 1 is closable in a front panel by a principal zipper 7 arranged vertically towards the collar 9. A first storage pocket 10 may be provided on the front upper panel, as represented in FIG. 1. Although zippers are illustrated and referenced herein, fasteners, including slide fasteners of other constructions, are also within the scope of the invention. In addition, although FIG. 1 illustrates a garment according to a first embodiment of the invention, in the form of a jacket, this is not limiting to the invention. For example, the length of the torso portion of the garment could be varied from that shown in the drawing.

The garment 1 includes a junction between the torso portion 3 and each of the sleeves 5, 6. Each junction comprises a closable opening 11.

As represented in FIG. 2, each of the closable openings 11 includes a first portion 15 positioned on a respective underarm, extending along a side of the torso portion, and a second portion 17 extending on the respective one of the sleeves 5. The side of the torso portion is shorter than the sleeve 5 portion and the first portion 15 is positioned at the wearer's armpit level.

Each of the sleeves 5, 6 comprises a proximal portion 19 adjacent to the torso portion 3; a distal portion 21 adjacent to the proximal portion 19 that extends further along the arm of the wearer; an arrangement carried by the proximal portion 19 for maintaining the distal portion 21 in a lifted-up state, the proximal portion 19 being arranged between the torso portion 3 and the distal portion 21. The proximal portion 19 is attached to the torso region as by means of stitching or otherwise.

Thus, the garment 1 can be worn in a “sleeve-on position” (FIGS. 1, 2) coverings arm or in a “sleeve-less position” (FIGS. 11, 12, 13) in the distal portion 21 of each of the two sleeves is lifted-up by the wearer and maintained in its lifted-up state by a structure at the proximal portion 19.

The sleeve-less position allows full freedom of the arms 35, 44 while protecting the wearer's torso and shoulders, whereas the sleeve-on position allows full upper body protection including arms 35, 44 needed for example, if the temperature drops.

The extending closable openings 11 provides a large pit opening for the arm 35 passage allowing an easy withdraw of the arm and elbow 35 and avoiding any discomfort for the wearer to remove his/her arm 35 from the sleeve 5.

Moreover, the proximal portion 19 remains attached to the torso portion 3 allowing good protection of the wearer's shoulders. Each proximal portion 19 is adapted to cover a respective shoulder of the wearer.

The modularity of the garment 1 allows it to be worn with or without sleeves 5, 6 while remaining on the wearer. Moreover, the wearer does not need any exterior help to transform the garment 1.

The closable opening 11 can be slightly positioned more in front portion of torso portion 3 and sleeve 5, to be more easily accessible by the wearer's hand 44.

The removal of the arms 35, 44 from the respective sleeves 5, 6 is easy because there is no need to remove the garment 1 from the wearer's body; the arms 35, 44 are simply slipped out of the sleeves 5, 6 which still remain attached to the garment 1.

The arrangement for maintaining the distal portion 21 in a lifted-up state may be positioned on the upper part of the proximal portion sleeve 19. The upper proximal portion 19 can be lined. This emplacement, on the upper part of the proximal portion 19, allows any discomfort for the wearer to be avoided when the garment 1 is worn sleeve-less. Moreover, the protection of the shoulders is reinforced.

A second storage pocket 22 can be arranged on the proximal portion 19 (see FIG. 1). As shown in FIG. 1, the optional pocket 22 includes a lengthwise-extending zipper. Also, a fastening structure 14 can be arranged on the proximal portion, to attach a blazon for example. The blazon will be visible in both positions “sleeve-on” or “sleeve-less”.

In an embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the closable opening 11 between the torso portion 3 and each of the sleeves 5, 6 comprises a substantially U-shaped closable-opening with a first portion 15 oriented substantially vertically on the torso portion 3 and a second portion 17 oriented substantially vertically on the respective one of the sleeves 5, 6.

In a further embodiment, the first portion 15 positioned on each underarm and extending along a side of the torso portion and the second portion 17 extending on the respective one of the sleeves 5, 6, belong to the same piece of fabric 13 (FIGS. 2 and 6).

As seen in FIG. 2, the closable opening 11 comprises a zipper or “pit zip”.

The closable opening 11 between the torso portion 3 and the respective sleeve 5 can also comprise a double slider zipper.

The double slider zipper includes a first row of teeth attached to a first stringer, a second row of teeth attached to a second stringer, and an upper slider 23 and a lower slider 24. The sliders 23, 24 are configured in a face-to-face arrangement so that the zipper's teeth are locked together when the sliders 23, 24 are moved from the ends 25, 26 of the stringers towards the middle of the stringers, and open or separate when the sliders 23, 24 are moved in the opposite direction.

Thus, closable opening 11 may be opened by sliding the upper slider 23 or the lower slider 24 to the ends 25, 26 of the stringers and the wearer can readjust the closable opening 11 around his/her arm 35 once withdrawn from the sleeve 5 by closing both sliders 23, 24 towards the middle or leave it open for a better ventilation of the armpit.

According to an embodiment, the distal portion 21 is maintained in a rolled-up state. The distal portion in the rolled-up state allows it to occupy less place in the lifted-up state. To facilitate the roll-up, the distal portion 21 can be done in a slight fabric, such as a thin and/or light-weight fabric.

Moreover, the arrangement comprises a fastening device to maintain the distal portion 21 in the lifted-up state.

For example, the arrangement includes a pocket 28.

Accordingly, the wearer will not separate the sleeves 5, 6 from the garment 1 but can immediately store them while still wearing the torso portion 3 of the garment 1.

The pocket 28 can be formed by a piece seamed inside an extending sleeve proximal portion 19, on bottom 29 and sides 30 so that the pocket 28 forms a flap on the wearer's shoulder.

The pocket aperture 32 is turned up, towards the armpit, so that the distal portion 21 is better retained.

FIG. 4 shows an interior pocket 28 being lifting up by the wearer's hand.

The aperture edge 34 comprises a small elastic, to improve the distal portion 21 being maintained in the lifted-up state in the pocket 28.

The proximal portion 19 of the sleeve 5 can further comprise an arrangement to hold the proximal portion 19 of the sleeve 5 against an upper arm 35 of a wearer.

For example, the arrangement to hold the proximal portion 19 of the sleeve 5 against an upper arm 35 of a wearer comprises an elastic band 36. The elastic band 36 can be sewn under the pocket 28, on its back side outside to the sleeve 5, at its two ends 38, 39 to the sides 30, 31 of the pocket 28 as can be seen in FIG. 3.

Thus, in the first and second wear position, the arrangement is not visible. Moreover, in the first sleeve-on position, the elastic band 36 is not embarrassing to the wearer.

The arrangement for maintaining the distal portion 21 can include an elastic band 36 adapted to extend at least partially around a wearer's arm 35 to apply tension to the distal portion 21 of the sleeve 5 against the arm 35.

This elastic band 36 may be the same as the elastic band 36 of the arrangement to hold the proximal portion 19 of the sleeve 5 against an upper arm 35 of a wearer.

The distal portion 21 can therefore stay in position through a full range of motion with minimal restriction and excellent comfort.

In a particular embodiment, the proximal portion 19 and the distal portion 21 comprise snaps 41, 42 to maintain the proximal portion 19 against the distal portion 21 (see FIG. 3). Snaps 41, 42 allow a good-positioning of the arrangement, such as the pocket 28, against the distal portion sleeve 21 in a sleeve-on state.

The proximal portion 19 and the distal portion 21 comprise, for example, a pair of snaps 41, 42 with one snap part between each bottom corner of the bottom pocket 28 and one snap part positioned on corresponding distal portion sleeve 21.

The snaps may be positioned under the pocket 28 to be not visible in normal wear positions.

The figures represent the use of the garment 1 in a sequence from the garment being worn in a first normal sleeve-on state (FIG. 1) to a second normal sleeve-less state (FIG. 11).

From FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the wearer lifts up the proximal portion 19 comprising the pocket 28 and opens the snaps 41, 42 of the arrangement, to access the pocket aperture 32.

Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the wearer opens the right closable openings 11 with his/her left hand 44 so the wearer's arm 35 can be withdrawn from the sleeve 5 trough the closable opening 11.

In FIG. 6, the wearer pulls out his/her arm 35 from the distal portion 21 of the sleeve 5 through the pit zip closable opening 11.

Distal portion 21 is then rolled-up by the wearer (see FIG. 7) and stowed within the pocket 28 (see FIGS. 8 and 9). While still wearing the jacket, the wearer can, with both hands, begin to roll up the sleeve, i.e., the loose portion of the sleeve.

As shown In FIG. 8, the wearer holds the rolled up distal portion 21 with his/her left hand, while maintaining the pocket opened with the right hand.

FIG. 9 shows the garment in the sleeveless state, or with the length of the sleeve shortened to that of the proximal portion 19. More particularly, FIG. 9 shows the proximal portion 19 of the sleeve being raised, thereby showing the rolled-up distal portion contained within the pocket.

In FIG. 10, the wearer has inserted his/her free arm 35 between the elastic band 36 and the proximal portion 19 to apply a firmly but flexibly tension to the distal portion 21 of the sleeve 5 against the arm 35 and hold the proximal portion 19 of the sleeve 5 against an upper arm 35. With the garment in the shortened sleeve state, as shown in FIG. 10, the shortened sleeve stays in position through a full range of motion with minimal restriction and excellent comfort.

The wearer can readjust the closable opening 11 around his/her arm 35 by closing both sliders 23, 24 towards the middle or leave it open for a better ventilation of the armpit.

The garment 1 is thus in the second wear position in FIG. 11, i.e., the sleeveless, or shortened-sleeve state.

Then, the torso portion 3 is covered and kept warm by the garment 1 and the arms are now free from sleeve covering while the garment 1 provides a good protection of the shoulders, even in this sleeveless wear position. In addition, the zippered pocket of the proximal sleeve portion is still easily accessible via its zipper. Although a zipper is depicted, another type of fastener could be used instead.

Those steps are of course performed at both arms so that the wearer's arms are free from the sleeves 5, 6 without the necessity of removing the garment 1 from the wearer.

As can be seen by comparing FIG. 1 and FIG. 11, there is no compromise of the aesthetic of the garment with or without sleeve, as both are pleasant to the eye.

FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 show two other embodiments of the arrangement to maintain the sleeve 5 in a lifted-up state, in which the arrangement does not comprise a pocket.

In the second embodiment of FIG. 12, the arrangement for maintaining the distal portion 21 in a lifted-up state includes complementary, or mating, snaps 46. For example, female snap 46 is arranged on the proximal portion 19 and the mating male snap (not visible in the drawing) is arranged on the distal portion in such a position that when the distal portion is in the rolled-up state, the male snap faces the female snap. Further, although a single snap fastener is shown, a second or additional fastener could be located transversely spaced from that which is shown.

In the third embodiment of FIG. 13, the distal portion 21 is maintained in a rolled-up state by an elastic band. The elastic band coincides with the one 36 which holds the proximal portion 19 of the sleeve 5 against an upper arm 35 and which applies tension to the distal portion 21 of the sleeve 5 against the arm 35.

Thus, such a garment 1 does not need to be taken off prior to the removal of the sleeves 5, 6 and presents an excellent comfort for the wearer in both wear positions.

The invention, illustratively disclosed herein, suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein. 

1. A garment comprising: a torso portion; a pair of sleeves; a junction between the torso portion and each of the sleeves comprising a closable opening; each of said closable openings comprising: a first portion positioned on the respective underarm, extending along a side of the torso portion; a second portion extending on the respective one of the sleeves; each of said sleeves comprising: a proximal portion adjacent to the torso portion; a distal portion adjacent to the proximal portion; an arrangement carried by the proximal portion for maintaining the distal portion in a lifted-up state.
 2. A garment according to claim 1, wherein: said distal portion is maintained in a rolled-up state.
 3. A garment according to claim 1, wherein: said arrangement for maintaining the distal portion in a lifted-up state includes a pocket.
 4. A garment according to claim 1, wherein: said arrangement for maintaining the distal portion in a lifted-up state includes snaps.
 5. A garment according to claim 1, wherein: the proximal portion and the distal portion comprise snaps to maintain the proximal portion against the distal portion.
 6. A garment according to claim 1, wherein: said arrangement for maintaining the distal portion is positioned on the upper part of the proximal portion.
 7. A garment according to claim 1, wherein: said closable opening between the torso portion and the respective sleeve comprises a substantially U-shaped closable-opening with a first portion oriented substantially vertically and a second portion oriented substantially vertically.
 8. A garment according to claim 1, wherein: said closable opening between the torso portion and the respective sleeve comprises a double slider zipper.
 9. A garment according to claim 1, wherein: the first portion positioned on each underarm, extending along a side of the torso portion and the second portion extending on the respective one of the sleeves belong to the same piece of fabric.
 10. A garment according to claim 1, wherein: the upper proximal portion is lined.
 11. A garment according to claim 1, wherein: said arrangement for maintaining the distal portion in a lifted-up state includes an elastic band adapted to extend at least partially around a wearer's arm to apply tension to the lifted-up distal portion of the sleeve against the arm.
 12. A garment according to claim 1, wherein: said proximal portion of the sleeve further comprises an arrangement to hold the proximal portion of the sleeve against an upper arm of a wearer.
 13. A garment according to claim 12, wherein: said arrangement to hold the proximal portion of the sleeve against an upper arm of a wearer comprises an elastic band. 